The Las Vegas Raiders, surprisingly sitting at 4-4, are reportedly holding onto veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins past Tuesday’s trade deadline, a move that’s got to make you scratch your head given they spent the No. 1 overall pick on Fernando Mendoza. Cousins is balling out, sitting second in the entire NFL with 19 touchdown passes, which has completely turned around an offense that was dead last in scoring just last year. Now, they are sixth in points per game, and suddenly, the playoffs are in the conversation.
Cousins’ Unstoppable Run and Playoff Dreams
Let’s be real, no one saw this coming. The Raiders, at a respectable 4-4, are way ahead of schedule, and it’s almost entirely on Kirk Cousins’ shoulders. He’s throwing darts, racking up 19 touchdown passes, good for second in the league. Think about that: this offense was a complete dumpster fire in 2025, dead last in points per game. Now, with Klint Kubiak calling the shots in his first season as head coach, they’re sixth. That kind of turnaround doesn’t just happen. It’s Cousins making plays, making the improbable feel possible. Suddenly, this team is talking about the playoffs, a true testament to the veteran’s performance.
The Mendoza Question: Future vs. Now
Here’s where it gets wild. Despite having Fernando Mendoza, the guy they picked No. 1 overall in the draft, chilling on the bench, the Raiders are reportedly not interested in trading Cousins. ESPN says no one has even offered for the veteran. Is this the right call? On one hand, Cousins is clearly leading them into the playoff hunt right now. On the other, the Raiders are probably a year or two away from being a *true* contender. Trading Cousins could land them some serious assets, assets that could speed up that timeline. Cousins, at 38, signed a one-year deal last offseason. He’s not the future, and Mendoza, their shiny No. 1 pick, probably needs to see the field eventually. Cousins is playing well enough to earn another starting role next season, but with Mendoza in the picture, it’s almost certainly going to be with a different team.
What’s Next for Las Vegas and Its QBs?
So, what’s the plan? If these early reports are true, it looks like Cousins is going to keep the starting job until the Raiders are officially out of playoff contention. At that point, the team would have no excuse to keep Mendoza on the sidelines. This scenario isn’t a guarantee, but it totally explains why they’re hesitant to deal Cousins now. For the time being, Cousins can focus on one thing: leading the Raiders to their first playoff berth since 2021. That would be a massive accomplishment for both the franchise and the quarterback, and it’s probably the biggest reason they’re holding onto him at the deadline. But you have to wonder, how long can a No. 1 overall pick sit and watch before his time finally comes?
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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